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With the first month of the NHL season underway, there has been a lot going on. Teams have gotten the chance to see how their new rosters stack up to the competition, or if their leadership is shaping them to earn a coveted postseason spot. Even though it hasn’t been too long, it’s clear that some teams are already making moves to get themselves in the best position, or that certain players may not be so safe in their contracts. With the weather getting colder, there’s already hot tea to be shared. Here are some of the most recents NHL rumors that have been served up.
Will Brad Marchand Stay with the Bruins?
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One of the hottest rumors in the league right now is Brad Marchand’s contract with the Boston Bruins. The 36-year-old left winger has been in Boston since he was drafted in 2006 and has been the team’s captain for one season. Clearly one of the most offensively-gifted players in the league, he makes himself a natural standout on the ice. For instance, he holds the Bruins’ record for most playoff goals at 56. Besides his talent, Marchand is also known for his creative chirps and antagonistic persona, hence his infamous nickname, “the Rat.”
However, Marchand is one of many players up for UFA (unrestricted free agent) status next July. With a cap hit of $6.125 million dollars, the Bruins have been able to have Marchand and his larger-than-life personality for a bargain price. On October 26, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman stated that Marchand and the Bruins were closing on a three-year contract extension. But, feisty Marchand was quick to provide his opinion.
“Clearly, Elliotte is just wrong here,” Marchand told reporters.
To follow up, he added that he refused to discuss his contract with the media, and that if he and the Bruins had agreed on an extension, it would’ve happened by now. So this issue begs the question: Will Marchand stay in Boston for the rest of his career or could he be looking for a new home come July?
The Islanders on the Lookout for Defense
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Though it has only been a month, the New York Islanders are already back on the market, searching for eligible players to fill the gaps in their lineup. With injuries plaguing their roster, the Islanders are in a tough spot right now. Standouts Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech are both out for four to six weeks, with Barzal on long-term injury reserve. Mike Reilly has been listed as day-by-day with an upper-body injury, and Alexander Romanov and Anthony Duclair are also out for the time being.
The Islanders are in a deep hole with all these injuries, especially with Pelech, who is a pillar to the Islanders’ defense. The good news is it seems like Reilly and Romanov will be returning soon. Additionally, the Islanders have about $9 million of cap space left with LITR allowances, so they should have plenty of flexibility to move players around and provide relief to their exhausted team.
Nazem Kadri to Stay with the Flames?
Courtesy of Calgary Hockey Now
Nazem Kadri, 2022 Stanley Cup winner, has played two seasons with the Calgary Flames and is set to play with them through the 2028-29 season. Or is he? According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, many NHL teams have been in contact with the Flames expressing interest in Kadri.
The Flames are also in the midst of a teardown of their current roster and are looking to rebuild, especially after missing the Stanley Cup playoffs three of the past four seasons. Though they are in the midst of this process, they have expressed they still want to keep Kadri on their lineup. But, although Kadri claims to be at home in Calgary, he has also said that he is willing to waive the no-movement clause in his contract during the right situation, and that he would not be opposed to going back to Colorado.
Last season with the Flames, Kadri tallied 75 points, the highest in his career. He also played all 82 games, scoring 29 goals and 46 assists. Clearly he’s a solid player, so it would be smart for the Flames to hold onto him as long as they can.
Though these are some of the hottest rumors in the NHL right now, they are only scratching the surface. In a sport as fast-paced as hockey, the game is changing every day. It will be interesting to see if any of these rumors come to fruition as the season moves along!
Edited by Jenna Mandarano
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